News

Globecast To Demo Cloud-based Playout

12/01/2018

UAE / FRA: For the first time Globecast will publicly demonstrate the development of its Cloud-based playout services.

At CABSAT, Globecast will be showing example channels being played out direct from the Cloud. The workflow on show uses object storage, which provides the schedules and content from Cloud-native storage platforms, a virtualised playout engine (both playout and graphics engines), stream handling for reliable broadcast delivery, compliance recording and origin server/CDN for global web/mobile consumption.

Ian Redgewell, Head of Media Management, said: "The benefits for our customers of using virtualised technology, both on-premise and in the Cloud, are already very clear. It allows us to launch services in a matter of minutes. Indeed, we can do this faster than we can get access to the content! With the Cloud, in general terms, if we need the systems to do more, then we can simply access more storage and push the technology harder. This is a paradigm shift. We pay for what we use - therefore so does the customer, of course - and then when finished, we can move back to the original playout needs without penalty."

At CABSAT, Globecast will be demonstrating the new possibilities created by Cloud playout and the associated virtualisation of technologies. Within the company, all technologies used for these new services are virtualised, whether on-premise or in the public Cloud. They all run on COTs too. The company is also developing a private Cloud, creating the ultimate hybrid technological base to provide playout services that will satisfy the needs of any customer.

As has been widely documented, the move to Cloud playout also signals the move from a CAPEX model to OPEX, with Globecast now developing new service structures and associated SLAs to best serve its customers. It is also looking in-depth at the new possibilities that Cloud playout provides in regard to disaster recovery and business continuity.

Redgewell added: "Over the past year we have been working with vendors to identify the core technologies we require. As part of our careful evaluation, we have been thoroughly testing all aspects and this testing means we are now comfortable to demonstrate the new possibilities presented by this approach. Of course, we will continue to test and evolve as the technology develops further."